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We started out the year with trepidation as we waited for Rooster’s basic training ship date. Everything we did was tempered with the knowledge that he’d be gone soon.

I don’t know if there’s a good way for a mama to prepare for her chicklet to leave the nest.

January was a month of fun, though, as we treated the kids to a trip to Universal Studios. This included Rooster’s then-girlfriend. It was her first time there, and she had a blast! We are both huge Harry Potter fans, so we bonded over all things Hogwarts.

We got Rooster’s ship date either right before or right after our trip. It’s all a blur now. I do remember that we had between two and three months’ notice.

The rest of the winter months flew by as I prepared my students for their state writing and reading tests. That is the part of the school year that goes by in a flash.

The end of March got a little crazy when Rooster proposed to his girl on a Friday and married her in front of a judge that Sunday. They knew they had found their special someone in each other; it was time to take care of business, being practical people (and needing her on his orders).

They married on March 20th, and he shipped out the first week of April.

That’s when my heart broke; the Mr. and I were so nervous as Rooster set out into an unknown world.

April and May were filled with much letter-writing and praying. My phone never left my side, and calls from Texas were eagerly awaited for.

Meanwhile, I still taught and was shocked when I received an extremely prestigious award about three weeks after Rooster left. It buoyed my spirits and gave me the push I needed to finish strong.

A grand celebration was in order the last week of May as we traveled to San Antonio to attend Rooster’s graduation from basic training. He didn’t just squeak by either but graduated with honors, which a mere 10% of graduates manage to do.

The summer was filled with a lot of sun, sand, poolside views, and more praying as the season of no school was mixed with Rooster’s beginning weeks of tech school. Weekly dinner dates with his new bride, who was still in town, kept us connected.

July saw the return home of the boy, if only for a few days, as he packed and prepared to move to his first duty station with his girl.

The see-you-later was very hard on this mama; the knowledge that her boy would be almost 3,000 miles away a bit too much to take in.

I didn’t have much time to cry, though, because a new school year was upon me, and along with that was not one prep but two. These four months of school have been extremely challenging; balancing the needs of very low students with exceptionally high students a test of sorts.

And all along the way throughout my year was my drive to be more fit. What started in September 2015 evolved into a passion. I was more fit than I’d ever been, and I finally accomplished my goal of being able to call myself a runner.

Then came November 13th, when my legs got kicked out from under me…literally…and I broke my ankle.

What a way to begin the holiday season! With family by my side, I prepared for the surgery that was performed a week later, and now, nearly seven weeks after my injury, I’m beginning to walk again with the aid of a boot, crutches, a walker, and a scooter.

Of course, my year wasn’t finished. I had the joy of hobbling into my son’s arms at the airport as I welcomed he and his girl home for the holidays. I also had his wedding to celebrate…eleven blissful days when my family was reunited.

2016 was filled with so many highs and lows.

I experienced elation and humbleness to the fullest extremes.

I went from being self-reliant to completely dependent.

I learned what it means to open your arms to let go and receive so much more in return.

Part of me would like to say that I’m glad to see the end of 2016; however, I know that I wouldn’t be the person I am without all of the events that transpired.

I don’t want to allow my frustration of breaking my ankle to cast a shadow over the joy that came with adding a daughter-in-law to the family and watching my son discover renewed focus in his life. I feel like my ankle injury and the support that Chicky provided during and after my surgery helped us connect on a deeper level.

I am grateful for the lessons I learned during 2016…to never take family for granted…to thank my husband for the love he gives me every day…to let go of unhealthy relationships…to slow down so I can see things directly in front of me.

I don’t know what’s in store for me during 2017. I only know that I serve a mighty God who loves me and uses everything in my life for good.

It is my trust in His plan that will help me put one foot in front of the other as I literally and figuratively walk the path He has set before me.

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I loved reading the recap of your year. Many things I remember and some I don’t. I love hearing the lessons you learned. I learned a few this year too and I just hope I remember them and luve accordingly.